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Mary Wolf Bought Her Publisher and Turned It Into a Huge Success

Mary Z. Wolf had her first book, The Marriage Patent published by Hard Shell Word Factory, a pioneer in the field of electronic publishing. She then turned around and did what every author dreams – she bought her publisher. While some may think that that guaranteed future publication, Hard Shell is growing so rapidly that Mary Z. Wolf, publisher, frequently has to tell Mary Z. Wolf, author, “… shut up and wait, her time will come” – and it will, just as soon as things settle down.

We have some wonderful books that I’m sure print editors practically cried at having to turn down … because they … didn’t fit comfortably enough into that publisher’s line.

The bad news, for Mary-the-author, is that Hard Shell is a bonafide success.

Hard Shell Word Factory was founded in November 1996 by Teri Lea Chandler. According to Wolf, Chandler “had the foresight to see electronic publishing as the wave of the future” and established a haven for quality authors who, for a variety of reasons, weren’t being considered by the New York publishers. Wolf, who had been exploring the prospect of starting her own publishing company, bought Hard Shell from Chandler. Continue reading →